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I can think of few things more frustrating than catching a glimpse of my reflection mid meeting/cocktails out with friends/date night, only to discover my once on fleek liner has made the forbidden voyage down my face, leaving me looking like the victim of a particularly tragic breakup.

It’s enough to make a grown woman cry. If only crying didn’t make it a whole lot worse.

Thankfully, there are some criminally easy tricks you can use pre-stepping out that will allow you to enjoy your life without sumdged eyeliner paranoia, which, by the way, is a very real and crippling affliction.

1. Wash up

Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser

It almost sounds too common sense, but you need to wash your face every night before bed. You may think you’re doing it right by giving it a quick rinse, but chances are you’re leaving makeup remnants behind in your pores, and it’s these remnants that cause your skin to produce extra oil, the ultimate enemy of your rocking winged eye. So next time you wash up before bed, try double cleansing, which is exactly what is sounds like: cleansing once, then doing it again for good measure.

2. Get primed

Elf Eyelid Primer

The addition of eyelid primer will be the greatest tweak you’ve ever made to your makeup routine. Specially designed to hold liner and eyeshadow in place, eyelid primer is an investment every girl who’s ever cried over smudged eyeliner needs to make. Simply pat it over your lid prior to eye makeup application and allow 30 seconds to set before proceeding with liner. You won’t look back.

3. Set it

M.A.C Invisible Powder

To keep your liner firmly in place, dust a very light sweep of transluscent powder over closed eyes after you’ve finished applying your eye makeup. The powder will keep the liner from getting greasy and heading south whilst also giving it additional staying power. For extra stay, spray on a makeup setting spray after applying the powder. Simply hold the spray arm’s length from your face and apply two quick bursts to keep your makeup glued in place all day (and night) long.

4. Switch it up

NARS Eyeliner Stylo

Pencil eyeliners are the worst offenders when it comes to smudging, so if you want to prevent panda eyes, try switching to an eyeliner pen. Eyeliner pens look and feel just like little Sharpie markers and are super easy to use, especially when it comes to perfecting your winged flick, plus as they’re not oil based they tend to stay put longer and are far less prone to smudging.

5. Go waterproof

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara

While you’re in the process of switching your eyeliner up, have a go at using a waterproof mascara instead of a regular one. Often it’s actually your mascara, not your liner, causing those dark smudges under your eyes, and switching to a waterproof one will ensure it’s much less likely to budge.

6. Keep emergency supplies

i.d. On the Spot Eye Makeup Remover

If all else fails and you discover your eyeliner smudged under your eyes halfway through the day, a quick swipe with a makeup remover Q-tip will solve your issues instantly, so keep a purse-sized pack on hand at all times and you’ll be ready to tackle the day, whatever it throws at you. Because, let’s face it, the only person who can pull off panda eyes is Ke$ha.